Embroidery is an age-old artistic craft that involves decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread. It is a versatile hobby that can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age or skill level. Not only is embroidery a great way to relax and unwind, but it can also result in beautiful and unique pieces of art that can be cherished for years to come. In this article, we will discuss the basics of embroidery, why it’s a great hobby to pick up, how to get started, and some tips for mastering the art.

Due to the pandemic, we were compelled to engage in activities that don’t involve direct outdoor interaction while restricted to our homes. In doing so, the embroidery was reborn and became a popular hobby once again. This artistic and creative endeavor has a beautiful aesthetic, is easy to pick up, and offers a variety of benefits.

 

What Is Embroidery?

If you don’t already know, embroidery is a type of needlework that uses a number of vibrant threads to create a design or pattern on fabric. This craft has been around for quite a while, and people from many generations have adopted it as a hobby or a method of earning money. Embroidery is a piece of art in and of itself and can be as simple or complex and grand as you want to make it.

Without even realizing it, almost all of us have items with embroidery that we have worn or owned. We tend to take for granted the artistry that went into some of the patterns and designs on our clothing or other beautifully stitched items. What if we tell you that by putting your ideas or imagination to use, you can also become an expert at this skill and create stunning designs? After all, creativity is just intelligence having fun.

One of the longest lasting arts embroidery dates back to the 14th century, possibly even earlier, and it continues to be an enjoyable and immersive craft today.

 

Why Should You Take Up Embroidery?

Embroidery is a low-cost hobby that is easy to learn and offers many benefits. It is purposeful and can even be used to generate income. Embroidery is also easily portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go. It is a great way to relieve stress and can be done even if you’re not feeling well or need a break from a rough day. Plus, there are many different types of embroidery to explore and master.

Or perhaps the mere thought of doing needlework while curled up in a warm armchair on a chilly October evening is aesthetically appealing and relaxing to you, and has sparked your interest in learning embroidery. There are many more factors that make embroidery one of the finest skills to pick up as a hobby.

It Is Inexpensive

Compared to other hobbies, embroidery is one of the least expensive hobbies one might pursue. To learn embroidery, you don’t need to make any investments or buy any specialized equipment. There aren’t many resources required, even if you master it. In fact, embroidery can end up paying off for you if you find yourself selling your creations or patterns you came up with yourself.

It Is Purposeful

Hobbies aren’t intended to have a purpose; they’re just supposed to be something you do for fun. But what if they do? Embroidery is one of the few hobbies that has a practical use. Even better, you can use this talent to generate income. Once you master the art of embroidery, you can design or upgrade any fabric and market your creativity. This can make the task more enjoyable and engaging.

Easy To Learn

Embroidery is also simple to grasp for those of us who aren’t artistically talented. To learn embroidery, you can enroll in schools or take courses, but you can also do this at home with a simple stitch diagram. You won’t need much to get started—just a few supplies and some basic knowledge. There aren’t many techniques to get you confused, only a few simple ones that work well with every pattern you would like to make, no matter how elaborate the design is.

It Is Portable

Embroidery does not have to be done in a certain location. You can embroider a gorgeous pattern while relaxing in your living room, bedroom, or balcony. It is easy to transport because it does not require large quantities of anything or any heavy equipment. You can maintain a small storage box with all of your embroidery supplies in it and carry it with you wherever you want. Learning embroidery has the added benefit of allowing you to stop at any time if you grow weary and pick up where you left off later. And it will not affect or ruin your design in any way. 

It Relieves Stress

Art is meant to relieve stress. Like all other art and craft endeavors, embroidery is a fantastic method to temporarily detach from your troubles. As you play with the colorful threads, you will experience delight and contentment, which will eventually bring you joy. It also helps that you’re stabbing a needle into taught fabric.

It Doesn’t Require Much Effort

You may have started many other hobbies or activities but abandoned them because they take a lot of physical work. Unlike others, embroidery is a hobby you can practice even if you’re not active or are feeling under the weather. Embroidery allows you the flexibility to be lying on the couch watching something and yet embroider a gorgeous design. Yes, it really is that simple and easy.

 

Types Of Embroidery

We can’t possibly categorize the various types of embroidery due to the sheer number of them. Every generation and every culture has expanded this skill by developing their own distinctive methods and aesthetics.

However, freestyle or hand embroidery is the most popular method and is simple to learn and master. It is also known as surface embroidery. You can easily grasp the skill of hand embroidery, which is a brilliant approach to spark your creative side.

Apart from hand or surface embroidery there are several different types as well. 

1. Counted thread embroidery
2. Blackwork embroidery
3. Whitework embroidery
4. Goldwork embroidery
5. Drawn thread embroidery
6. Candlewick embroidery
7. Cross stitch embroidery
8. Pulled thread embroidery
9. Cutwork embroidery
10. Chicken scratch embroidery

 

 

How To Begin

 

 

 

What You’ll Need

To begin embroidery you will need a few pieces of equipment. You might already have a few of them lying around your home. This is what makes it an inexpensive hobby. The things you’ll need will include;

• Embroidery hoop
• Small scissors
• Embroidery needles
• Fabric or cloth of your preference
• Embroidery floss or threads
• Embroidery markers

 

Steps To Begin Embroidery

For any embroidery project, there are a few basic steps that remain the same. The most important step is to decide what pattern you want to make and what stitch you intend to employ.

• To begin embroidering, grab an embroidery hoop.
• Typically, the hoops consist of two pieces. Unscrew both pieces and secure your fabric to the inner hoop. 
• Next, set the other hoop on top of your fabric, pull fabric taut and firmly screw it in.
•  Once the cloth is in the hoop, it’s time to create a design.
•  Make a clean outline of any shape or pattern you find uncomplicated with your embroidery marker. 
• You can practice several sorts of stitches as a novice by simply drawing a line, square, or rectangle.
•  Next, get your thread and needle ready. 
• Insert your chosen thread inside the needle’s eye, then knot the end. 
• You can now start embroidering.
• Choose the type of stitch you wish to accomplish first and begin this wonderful experience.

 

Basic Stitches To Master

There are a few basic stitches that you’ll be using in almost every other design or pattern. They are relatively easy to learn and even fun to perform. Within a week of practice you’ll ace all of these techniques and will be able to create beautiful patterns. The few simple stitches in embroidery that you as a beginner must learn includes;

1. running stitch
2. back stitch
3. chain stitch
4. satin stitch

 

Running Stitch

The most basic sort of stitch that you might already be familiar with is the running stitch. It is the simple one that you also use while sewing or stitching a fabric. 

• To make a running stitch, first draw a line using an embroidery marker on your fabric. 
• Draw a shorter line to make it easier to finish.
• Then, using your needle and thread, tie a knot at the end of the thread. 
• Next, begin by inserting the needle up from the line’s starting point and back down the fabric. 
• Work the needle up and down while maintaining an equal distance between to create a lovely straight line till the end of the line. 

 

Back Stitch

A back stitch is a more refined version of a running stitch. To produce a back stitch, draw the same length of line or any other simpler shape. Bear in mind you’re just making a series of normal straight stitches, but you stitch them in a backward motion. 

• Bring the needle and thread up through the back (the wrong side) of your fabric so that the needle pops up a stitch ahead of your starting point or the beginning of your template.
• Stitch back to the starting point of your template.  Make your stitch a ¼ – ⅛ inch long (or a few millimeters long). This will be your first stitch.
• Then bring your needle and thread up a ‘stitch space’ ahead of your last stitch.  
•  Lastly, bring the needle down through the same hole as the end of the last stitch you made.
• As you back stitch, be careful to cover the lines of your transfer as you go.  Try to keep your stitches the same length.
• As you finish your thread, feed the needle down into the back and be careful to catch a number of your stitches to help secure the thread.

 

Chain Stitch

Another lovely and simple stitching method you must master as a beginner is chain stitch. A chain stitch can be used to make a variety of lovely patterns that, despite their appearance, are actually rather simple. 

• Start by tracing a straight line over your fabric.
• Pull the thread up from its starting position.
• Then, at the same beginning place, insert the needle halfway.
• You’ll get a little loop as a result.
• Insert your thread from the next position within the loop and pull it all the way through.
• Create a second stitch inside the first one but don’t pull all the way through.
• You will have another loop.
• Pull your thread through the loop and out at the next point.
• You have completed two chains; continue the process to complete the line.

 

Satin Stitch

Compared to chain stitches, satin stitches are finer and easier to work with. You use straight and closed stitches to cover your pattern in a satin stitch. These are frequently used to create various patterns, including flowers, leaves, and other designs.

• With an embroidery marker, create a small square box.
• Pull the needle up through the beginning point by starting at the back of your fabric.
• Push it back on the same line, but on the opposite side.
• Continue the process, pulling through the bottom of the following side and reinserting at the top.
• Without allowing any space between each stitch, keep going back and forth between the points.
• Fill your box with line stitches to create a smooth and tidy satin stitch.

 

Takeaway

Embroidery is a wide-ranging hobby with several components that will never tire you. It is simpler to learn, and you can master it within a month of practice. It’s also one of the few pastimes that doesn’t involve a major investment, a significant amount of physical work, or a specific location. You can do embroidery anywhere, leave it in between, and pick up where you left off whenever you want.

In a nutshell, it is simple, low-maintenance, low-cost, profitable, and immensely pleasurable. It’s difficult to think of an excuse not to learn this phenomenal talent. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move to more advanced techniques and intricate designs to widen your skill.